Check out our weekly catchup of horseracing action between Monday and Thursday, including all four local meetings.
The Frankie Dettori magic on Frankel’s unbeaten son Logician to win the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday was a highlight in a massive weekend of quality racing.
It’s almost unbelievable to think that the handsome grey only made his track debut in May and four months later the Khalid Abdullah-owned rising star has six straight victories in the bag – and counting! Like a good wine, Dettori is getting better with each passing year. Celebrating his 49th birthday in December, he needs ‘only’ one more Gr1 strike to equal his career-best of 16, set in the 2001 season!
Overall, the racing was top drawer, with the outstanding Magical under Ryan Moore, heading an extraordinary Aidan O’Brien 1-2-3 in the QIPCO Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
On the local scene, there were a couple of good winners, including the well-backed Brett Crawford first-timer Regimental who won well on debut at Durbanville. The big-ticket son of Captain Al beat little of note, but showed maturity and is one for the black book.
We now head into another week of typically standard fare, commencing at 12h10 at Flamingo Park today.
The first of nine races present the likeliest strongest bet on the card in the form of ‘Oom’ Bill Human’s Great Britain filly GREAT PROSPERITY.
With three seconds at her last three starts, she drops back to the 1000m and with the capable Nathan Klink taking 1,5kgs off her back, she looks to go very close.
There are eight races programmed on the Turffontein inside track on Tuesday and Flower Alley daughter ARNICA MONTANA must be in the mix after her short-head defeat on debut over 1450m at the track at end August.
S’manga Khumalo rode the Mike de Kock charge on her double-digit starting price debut and she looks set to relish the upgrade to the mile.
The Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack hosts nine races in midweek on Wednesday.
The Oratorio gelding ULTRA MAGNUS has won two of his first four starts and returns to the course and distance of his debut victory when he runs in the fourth.
He won his last start at Scottsville going away in the style of a horse on the upgrade, and Donovan Dillon takes the reins. He should be a banker in all exotics.
The week’s action rounds off on the Vaal classic track on Thursday with nine well-filled races carded.
Trainer Heather Adamson doesn’t have the biggest of strings at her disposal, but she could have something quite smart on her hands in the shape of the Bosworth Farm-bred MAY QUEEN, who runs in the first.
The daughter of Skitt Skizzle made her debut earlier this month at Turffontein and caught the eye after a tardy start when staying on well for second behind Black Ferrari.
MAY QUEEN was easy to back that day and may have surprised her connections. But with the experience under the belt, and assuming she won’t be too slow away, she could run this lot over.
Looking ahead, the Rugby World Cup looks set to grab the attention on Friday with the hosts meeting Russia in the opener. Our betting facilities are available here.
On the same day, Fairview hosts the non-black-type Walmer Handicap. That will be covered in our Thursday mailer.
Enjoy the racing and the exciting rugby build-up.
Monday 16th September 2019
Flamingo Park
Race 2 – 12:40
1000m – MR 75 Handicap
7 – Spanish Fort
Trainer: Cliffie Miller
Jockey: Collen Storey
Wgt: 53.5kg
Draw: 14 (14 Runners)
Current Betting: 10/1
He thoroughly enjoyed stepping back to this trip last time out, when travelling well throughout. That was just over three weeks ago and he quickened nicely back then, beaten just three lengths behind the three.
He lines up again over the course and distance, 2 kgs better off with the latter and that brings him right into contention for his second career win. He is unfortunately drawn on the wrong side of the course, but he has the gate speed to track towards the inside and looks a very lively contender here. He presents great each-way value.
Winning Form Comment: Good form return last time. He is 2kgs better off with number three. Include.
Wednesday 18th September 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf
Race 1 – 12:20
1400m – Maiden Plate
4 – Binary Star
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Raymond Danielson
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 5 (15 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 10/1
This son of Querari has shown plenty of ability on his four starts so far, although they came a bit too soon for him. He has since strengthened up very nicely and we have no doubt that he will be a very nice three-year-old.
He is bred to go this trip and further, but despite his scope for much more improvement, he may just need the run after a 13-week lay-off. With that said he is drawn nicely and with Danielson up, he should give a good account of himself. We give him a good place chance.
Winning Form Comment: Fair form before being given a break. Tries further and Danielson rides. Can show.
Race 3 – 13:30
1400m – Maiden Plate (Fillies)
11 – Listen To Lilly
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Raymond Danielson
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 11 (Runners 12)
This daughter of Bold Silvano was very encouraging in her barrier trial and it was as if she had done it all before. Since then, her work has been very encouraging and she has progressed well.
This will just be a sight of the racecourse for her, under competitive conditions and the expected greenness is the reason why we can’t tip her with any confidence. The experience is going to do her wonders and she will certainly gain immensely from it. She should have an outside place chance.
